Childminder in Essex

Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

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The provision is good

Children thoroughly enjoy their time at the setting. The childminder provides a well-resourced environment to promote children's play and exploration. Children quickly become engrossed in sand and water play, scooping and pouring with a range of tools, while others engage with dinosaur toys, thoughtfully set out in response to children's individual interests. During focused activities, children display high levels of concentration and teamwork. They show determination and resilience as they explore stacking blocks, giggling as their towers fall and work together to rebuild them.

p.2

The provision is good

The childminder supports children's interests well by ensuring additional resources are available to sustain their engagement and promote perseverance. Children show high levels of motivation and become deeply engaged in purposeful play, which supports their learning and development.

p.2

The provision is good

The childminder is calm and gentle with her interactions. She implements familiar routines that help children to feel safe and secure. Clear boundaries and consistent expectations support children to behave positively and develop good relationships with their peers. Children learn to share and take turns and show a genuine kindness to their friends. The childminder treats all children with equal fairness and respect, ensuring that each child's needs are met sensitively and effectively.

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need to do better?

n The childminder provides a considered and purposeful curriculum, with a clear intent to prepare children for their next stages of education. She demonstrates a good level of skill and experience through her high-quality interactions with children. The childminder is attentive to children's interests and skilfully extends their learning through meaningful play and conversation. For example, children learn about the life cycle of frogs as they are encouraged to predict what tadpoles turn into and build on their mathematical skills as they count the tadpoles they can see in the book. n Children develop a deep love of stories and early reading skills through effectively planned activities. The childminder uses interactive storyboards and props to tell stories, involving all children equally. She asks purposeful questions, helping children to recall phrases, identify animal sounds and build on their vocabulary. Children eagerly participate, as they recall that ducks 'quack' and

p.2

need to do better?

cats 'meow', reinforcing their language development and understanding of characters in the book. n The childminder offers a rich variety of experiences beyond the setting. Regular visits to farms, libraries, parks, and playgroups extend children's learning and understanding of the world. These trips are used purposefully to build

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need to do better?

28 April 2025 confidence, social skills, and knowledge of the natural environment, giving children opportunities they might not otherwise experience. n Children are familiar with established hygiene routines such as washing their hands before eating food, wiping their faces and applying sun cream before playing outside in the sun. Sometimes, the childminder does not always encourage older children to carry out these tasks for themselves to continually build on these skills. n The childminder promotes an inclusive environment where children's home languages and cultural backgrounds are celebrated. She actively learns key words in children's home languages to better support their communication and sense of belonging, enabling all children to feel valued, understood, and confident within the setting. n Parents speak positively of the childminder, describing her as 'highly professional, exceptionally caring, and an invaluable part of their children's lives'.

p.2

need to do better?

The childminder maintains consistent communication with parents through daily messages and diaries, keeping parents up to date on their child's learning and development. She provides valuable advice to parents around behaviour management, supporting a consistent approach between home and setting for children. n The childminder is part of an extensive local network of other childminders, meeting regularly for social trips, training, and professional support. Through this network, she shares and receives updates on key guidance such as recent information about nutrition for young children and safer eating practices. The childminder keeps all mandatory training up to date and does some training to extend her knowledge. She has not considered tailoring this training further to the specific needs of children.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

p.3

should:

n provide greater opportunities for children to build on their self-care skills and independence n tailor professional development opportunities to focus on the specific needs of children.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY271875 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10388392 Type of provision Childminder

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

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inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 4 Date of previous inspection 10 July 2019

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2003 and lives in Loughton. She operates Monday to Friday from 8am to 4.30pm, during term time. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 3 and provides funded early education for eligible children.

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Inspection activities

n The childminder and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the setting and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided indoors and outdoors and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of an activity that the childminder carried out with the children. n The children communicated with the inspector during the inspection. The inspector took account of written views from parents. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation such as evidence of the suitability of the childminder and a selection of other records.

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Inspection activities

28 April 2025 We carried out this inspection under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children's learning, development and care, known as the early years foundation stage.

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Inspection activities

28 April 2025 regulates and inspects to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children's services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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